When naming their vehicles, car manufacturers often turn to the animal kingdom for inspiration. These animal-inspired names can evoke images of speed, strength, or elegance, helping to create a unique identity for each model. The stories behind these names are often as interesting as the cars, reflecting cultural significance, marketing strategies, or even simple wordplay.
In this blog, I explore 16 cars named after animals and the fascinating stories behind their names.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang, introduced in 1964, takes its name from the wild horses of the American West. Lee Iacocca, who spearheaded the Mustang’s development, wanted a name that evoked freedom and the American spirit. The car’s galloping horse logo perfectly complemented its name. The Mustang’s instant popularity made it one of the most successful car launches in history, creating a new class of vehicles known as “pony cars.”
Volkswagen Beetle
While not officially named after an animal, the Volkswagen Type 1 became universally known as the “Beetle” due to its distinctive shape. The nickname originated in the 1950s and was so popular that Volkswagen eventually embraced it in its marketing. The car’s rounded body and compact size indeed resembled a beetle, making it one of the most recognizable vehicles in automotive history. The Beetle’s animal-inspired nickname contributed to its charm and enduring popularity.
Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper was first introduced in 1992 and named after one of the world’s deadliest snakes. The name reflects the car’s aggressive styling and powerful performance. Like its serpentine namesake, the Viper was known for its ability to strike fear into the hearts of its rivals on the road and track. The car’s long hood and sleek profile further reinforced its snake-like appearance, making it a perfect marriage of name and design.
Jaguar
The entire Jaguar brand takes its name from the swift and powerful big cat. The company, originally called SS Cars, changed its name to Jaguar after World War II to avoid associations with Nazi Germany’s SS organization. The jaguar was chosen for its connotations of grace, speed, and power, qualities that the company wanted associated with its luxury vehicles. This animal name has become synonymous with British automotive luxury and performance.
Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari Testarossa, introduced in 1984, actually takes its name from a horse. “Testarossa” means “red head” in Italian, referring to the red-painted cylinder heads of the engine. This name continues Ferrari’s tradition of naming cars after horses, a nod to the prancing horse in the company’s logo. The Testarossa became one of the most iconic sports cars of the 1980s, with its distinctive side strakes and wide rear end.
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala, first introduced in 1958, is named after the African antelope known for its speed and grace. Chevrolet chose this name to convey a sense of lightness and swiftness in their new full-size car. The Impala logo, featuring the leaping animal, became a recognizable symbol on Chevrolet vehicles. This animal-inspired name has been one of the longest-running in Chevrolet’s lineup, spanning multiple generations of cars.
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo, produced from 2003 to 2013, continues the company’s tradition of naming cars after famous fighting bulls. Gallardo was a breed of fighting bull known for its beauty and strength. This naming convention dates back to company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini’s fascination with bullfighting. The Gallardo became Lamborghini’s best-selling model, with its name contributing to its fierce and powerful image.
Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda, introduced in 1964, was named after the fierce predatory fish. The name conveyed a sense of speed and aggression, fitting for a sporty car aimed at younger buyers. The Barracuda’s fastback design, with its large rear window, was somewhat reminiscent of the fish’s sleek profile. This animal-inspired name helped establish the Barracuda as a competitor in the emerging pony car market.
Shelby Cobra
The Shelby Cobra, a high-performance sports car produced in the 1960s, took its name from one of the world’s most venomous snakes. Carroll Shelby, the car’s creator, claimed the name came to him in a dream. The Cobra name perfectly suited the car’s reputation for being fast, lightweight, and potentially dangerous in the wrong hands. This iconic name has become synonymous with American high-performance sports cars.
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar, introduced in 1967, was named after the large wild cat native to the Americas. The name was chosen to evoke images of grace, agility, and power. Mercury used the slogan “At the sign of the cat” in their marketing, emphasizing the feline connection. The Cougar’s animal-inspired name helped position it as a more luxurious alternative to the Ford Mustang, appealing to a slightly older demographic.
Porsche Cayman
The Porsche Cayman, introduced in 2005, is named after a species of alligator. The name is a play on words, as “caiman” is also an alternative spelling for the animal. Porsche chose this name to reflect the car’s agility and predatory nature on the road. The Cayman’s mid-engine layout and sleek design indeed give it a reptilian appearance from certain angles, making it a fitting name for this sports car.
Buick Skylark
The Buick Skylark, first introduced in 1953, takes its name from the skylark bird known for its beautiful song and high-flying abilities. Buick chose this name to convey a sense of freedom and aspiration. The Skylark name was used on various Buick models over several decades, becoming one of the brand’s most recognizable nameplates. This bird-inspired name helped position the Skylark as a car that offered both beauty and performance.
Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram, now its own brand, takes its name from the male sheep known for its curved horns. Dodge began using the ram’s head as a hood ornament in the 1930s, long before it became a model name. The Ram name was officially adopted for Dodge’s pickup truck line in 1981. This animal-inspired name has become synonymous with tough, capable trucks, perfectly aligning with the ram’s reputation for strength and durability.
Pontiac Firebird
The Pontiac Firebird, introduced in 1967, takes its name from a mythical bird associated with fire and rebirth in various cultures. Pontiac chose this name to evoke images of power, speed, and uniqueness. The Firebird’s hood decal, featuring a stylized bird, became an iconic part of the car’s design. This mythical animal name helped establish the Firebird as a strong competitor in the muscle car market.
Volkswagen Rabbit
The Volkswagen Golf was marketed as the Rabbit in North America from 1975 to 1984. The name was chosen to convey a sense of quickness and agility, qualities associated with the small, nimble animal. This animal-inspired name was part of Volkswagen’s strategy to give the car a friendlier, more approachable image in the American market. The Rabbit name was briefly revived in the mid-2000s before Volkswagen standardized the Golf name globally.
Aston Martin Vantage
While not directly named after an animal, the Aston Martin Vantage has used a wing logo that gives it an avian association. The Vantage name, meaning advantage or superiority, has been used by Aston Martin since the 1950s. The car’s sleek design and powerful performance evoke the image of a bird of prey, swift and elegant. This subtle animal connection, combined with the prestigious Aston Martin brand, has made the Vantage one of the most desirable sports cars in the world.
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